1st XI
On a day that started with damp and gloomy overhead conditions, Tom McDonald won the toss and stuck the opposition in to bat. St Peters first 10 overs was controlled and watchful, with the new ball zipping around, especially from the impressive Varun Khullar. Once the initial movement started to stop and the next line of bowlers were introduced, the visitors went through the gears and would never stop. Hailsham bowled seven bowlers in total and all of them at times received some tap. On a wicket that dried out and became a very nice batting track the St Peters top order cashed in. Rohan Doyle (108) and Siddesh Neral (61) were the main threats to the parked cars on Western Road. Unfortunately, the Hailsham bowlers again showed a lack of bowling on one side of the wicket or to a plan, that would have enabled Tom to set appropriate fields to defend. This is something that needs to be worked on and improved over the coming weeks. St Peters finished the innings on 335-6, with Varun taking excellent figures of 3-42, giving the situation of the game.
In response Hailsham had a discussion and set about a plan to try and secure as many batting points as possible, unfortunately key wickets were lost at regular intervals, coupled with some accurate and challenging bowling. Useful starts from Tom Hicks (14) Scott Pearce (17) and Aaron Norwood (30) were the only bright light in a very disappointing and innings that lacked fight and character from the home batsman.
A massive game next week vs. Mayfield 2nd XI awaits, with Hailsham knowing that a massive change in performance is needed if they are to compete at this standard. The Freedom Leisure Hailsham Man of the Match went to Aaron Norwood for a gutsy and well-constructed 30.
2nd XI
After heavy overnight rain Hellingly entertained hailsham at horsebridge. Realising the toss may be important the Hailsham Captain James Bellett won and was happy putting Hellingly in to bat.
The opening bowling attack of Ed Garbett 1-14 and James Bellett 2-19 bowled superb lines and with Alex Renals 3-24 and Sam Mills 1-28 bowling impeccable lines and lengths the wickets just kept falling at regular intervals. With good catches by Stan Garbett, the Hellingly innings closed on 109 all out just shy of there 40 overs.
After a lovely tea by our hosts the Regular Hailsham openers Gareth Morgans (53) and James Bellett (21) walked out to bat knowing a good start would set up this small run chase. With the score on 40 James was unlucky to be out but a good start to the innings was had so when Steve Bowden (24 not out) came to the crease to add a supporting role to Gareth Morgans who batted beautifully hitting the ball to all parts of the ground the victory was all but complete. An unlucky top edge ended his innings on a well made (53). But with only 9 needed in strode the big hitting Stuart Kennedy who hit a nice 4 and a big 6 to seal a well deserved win for Hailsham.
An all round perfect performance by Hailsham but the Daniel Grant Finance Planning Group Man of Match award goes to the ever dependable Gareth Morgans for a solid batting display.
3rd XI
Hailsham’s 3rd XI travelled to Herstmonceux on a humid afternoon after a night of rain. Herstmonceux won the toss and elected to bowl to try and take advantage of the wet ground.
This put Robin Sewell (26) and Tim Mullins (18) out to bat first. Both openers held the line very well, with no signs or Herstmonceux’s bowlers taking any wickets early on. Both batsmen helping to build the inning that was about to come. After an lbw for Mullins, Dave Bennett-Tomlin was next up. With calculated shots, it started to show Hailsham were looking for a solid total. Sewell was caught out, but this brought out skipper Lewis Williams, who was keen to show he knew how to use his bat too. Scoring a fast 20 off just 17 balls, this started to show that Hailsham were ready to ramp things up. Next in was Harry Chatfield, who from his first ball, brought yet more aggression to the innings with six 4s and two sixes, taking him to a total of 56 off just 38 balls. During this, Dave also brought himself to 58 from 69 keeping the stability in the innings, leaving Hailsham on 209/5 off the full overs.
After teas, it was Hailsham’s turn with the ball. Openers Omar Pathan (0/22 from 6) and Tom Mills (1/29 off 8) started off. With tight lines from both openers, they made it hard for the batsmen to get the total flowing. 1st change saw James Renals (3/21 from 5) and Ed Brook (1/29 from 6) try to break into Herstmonceux’s top order. Renals successfully did this, taking a wicket an over for first three overs, while Ed Brook was keeping the run rate as low as possible from the other end. With a close run out from Pathan, allowing Hailsham to close in on the tailend. Pathan and Mills were brought back on to try and mix things up, successfully for Tom, taking the big wicket of Herstmonceux’s captain for just 5 runs. With another change, seeing Brook and captain Williams ready to finish the game, as the runs creeped over 100, halfway to the target. However, this didn’t last long as Lewis took the wicket of Neilan for a duck. Lewis then finished the game with a rarely seen hattrick to leave Herstmonceux all out for 135 from 31.5 overs.
An excellent Hailsham win. The Roots Gardening & Grounds Maintenance Ltd goes to Harry Chatfield for an excellent knock.
4th XI
After the overnight rain Roebuck Park was basking in sunshine, and we welcomed Linden Park 5th XI once they had found us after the arduous journey from the car park. They elected to bat first. Brad Aldridge (32 for 1 off 8) and Bobby Williams (10 for 1 off 4) opened the bowling, and contained the batsmen offering only a few opportunities for runs. Whilst Bobby had a well-deserved rest, Jogi Panwar (32 for 2 off 9), Ethan Deane (27 for 2 off .2) and Jake Muller (31 for 0 off 6) continued the pattern, generally restricting the Linden Park batsmen to only 1-2 opportunities an over. Only 2 batsmen reached double figures after Warren Downs (0 for 4 off 4, yes no runs, 4 wickets) took care of the middle-lower order as Hailsham ensured Linden Park were never going to run away with it. All out for 147 off 36.2 overs. Decent fielding from the home side very much contributed.
Cheese and beetroot sandwiches refuelled all, we liked those for sure. Hailsham had a strong batting order, but we still knew that anything less than sensible would cause a problem i.e. our usual batting collapse. Peter Mills (3) ensured any excitement for the fielding side was non-existent, and Nigel Anthony (32) maintained his recent good form. Gavin Muller (0) and Bobby Williams (1) teased Linden Park into thinking a collapse could happen, but Warren (45), Matt Dawber (23) and Jogi (15 n/o) batted well and victory was not in doubt giving Ethan (1 n/o) the opportunity to score the winning runs off his first delivery.
A crucial win for the home team in this 6 pointer (right analogy?) moves Hailsham 4th XI to the top of the table, and onto another big clash next week with 2nd place Ringmer 3rd XI. Well done all for contributing, but the C Brook Fencing Man of the Match goes to Warren Downs for his 4 wickets for 0 runs, and 45 with the bat, and calm and considered leadership throughout. Apologies to the valued players not selected this week, mass availability a rarity creating its own issues.
